Discovering the Blue Planet

September 6th 2007. Kathryn Hawkins.

Check out David Attenborough's extraordinary BBC wildlife series that features astonishing views of a gigantic blue whale and other magnificent marvels that demonstrate the power, beauty and diversity of the Earth's oceans.

From outer space, the planet Earth is a deep blue marble, covered with shimmering swirls of cloud. We can observe the outlines of the seven continents, the etchings of mountain ranges, the lush green of forests – but only the brilliant blue of water stretches on as far as the eye can see.

More than 60% of our planet’s surface is made of water, yet for most of us, the ocean is an enigma. You might go for a walk along the beach, or if you’re more adventurous, even spend an afternoon of scuba diving with the rainbow-hued fish in the tropics. But chances are, you’ve never been down to the very depths of the ocean for a firsthand glimpse at the fascinating and vibrant world that lives beneath the water’s surface.

Luckily, naturalist David Attenborough and his crew have – and they’ve resurfaced with The Blue Planet, an extraordinary 4-DVD documentary set that takes us on a journey through the depths of the world’s astonishing oceans. In the darkest depths, you’ll come face to face with dream-like bioluminescent jellies, fangtooths, and other fantastical creatures. Travel out towards the coast and watch, in slow motion, as an orca whale captures and devours an infant seal in one fell swoop.

Brought to you by the team behind the mind-blowing Planet Earth documentary series, The Blue Planet is a tour-de-force thrill ride through the depths of our blue seas. Are you ready to dive in?